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Santa Cruz and The Eastern Lowlands

The Other Bolivia

When most people think of Bolivia, they imagine the Andean Altiplano, Lake Titicaca, the seemingly endless Salt Flats and the country's famously rich indigenous culture. But there's another side of Bolivia that many travelers don't know about, with untamed rainforests, dusty wilderness, endless savannahs and a cosmopolitan city with a very tropical vibe. We're talking, of course, about Santa Cruzand The Eastern Lowlands.

To start, one cannot visit the Eastern Lowlands without making a stop in the city of Santa Cruz, a city unlike any other in Bolivia. Given the predominantly tropical aura of the city, visitors to Santa Cruz may forget that they're in Bolivia and not neighboring Brazil. While the city is bustling, the weather is warm and the mood is relaxed. Ultimately, Santa Cruz is a great place from which to explore the beautiful natural surroundings of the Eastern Lowlands.

Geographical Layout

The region known as the Eastern Lowlands spans from the foothills of the Andes and extends onward to Bolivia's borders with Brazil (to the East), and Argentina and Paraguay (to the South). Dense, untamed rainforestsâ€”protected under the Parque Nacional Noel Kempff Mercadoâ€”cover the northeastern edge of the lowlands near the border with Brazil. The park is known for being one of the most beautiful and undisturbed protected rainforests in the world. To the West, are more rainforests, these encompassed by the Parque Nacional AmborĂł, another reserve famous for its plethora of wildlife. While the center of the region is blanketed by open grassy savannahs and dry tropical rainforests, vast marshy wetlands cover the eastern edge of the lowlands. If you really want to get off the beaten path, find a way to explore the barren, sparsely populated Gran Chaco region to the South, the site of the Chaco War (1932-1935) between Bolivia and Paraguay.

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By Emma Muellerâ€śOneâ€™s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.â€ť â€“ Henry...

The striking mission complex, the only one constructed in stone, takes up one whole side of the main plaza and consists of the mortuary chapel, the church, the bell tower and the school. The complex
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At the heart of ConcepciĂłn is its plaza, which Hans Roth, the mastermind behind the restoration of the Jesuit churches, is said to have thought was the most beautiful plaza of the all the missions.
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San Javierâ€™s church was built between 1749 and 1752 by Father Martin Schmidt, the Jesuit architect behind many of the mission churches. It was restored by Hans Roth and his local team between 1987
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Buena Vistaâ€™s original church was constructed in the early 18th century, not long after the founding of the Jesuit Mission in 1694. It was built by Friar Martin Schmid, the architect behind many of
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Situated less than two km south of Buena Vista, Curichi Marsh provides a great spot to go bird watching and enjoy nature. The reserve is made up of 380 hectares of wetlands and forest and has a large
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El Fuerte is situated about 10 kilometers from Samaipata, just off the road to Santa Cruz on the top of a hill. Itâ€™s possible to walk to the site, or get a taxi from the center. You can buy entry
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Types: Other Activity
Location: Samaipata, Bolivia

Top Destinations in Santa Cruz and The Eastern Lowlands

Population: 30,000
The largest and the most important of the Jesuit Missions, San Ignacio de Velasco combines a laidback, welcoming atmosphere with a simmering commercial center, propelled by cattle
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Quechua for a â€śrest in a higher placeâ€ť-- is a jumping off point for a visit to El Fuerte, the easternmost of several pre-Inca fortifications. From here you can head to Las Cuevas, where natural
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Perched on a small hill overlooking the magnificent Parque Nacional AmborĂł, the village of Buena Vista is surrounded by natural beauty and has an unrivalled laid-back vibe. This is the perfect place
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Best Places to Stay in Santa Cruz and The Eastern Lowlands

Hotel Flora and Fauna is the place to go for serious nature lovers. Situated four kilometers south of Buena Vista, the hotel is run by British ornithologist and local expert Robin Clark. Itâ€™s set
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This friendly, family-run guesthouse has beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and valleys and there are gardens where you can sit and enjoy the sunshine. La Posada del Sol offers a range of
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Alojamiento La Casona is one of the best budget options in Buena Vista. This family-run accommodation has rooms alongside a bright courtyard with seating outside. The rooms themselves are super clean
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Hostal Quimori offer cabins and rooms in a beautiful setting, east of town. All the accommodation comes with private bathroom and the rooms are large with high roofs and wooden rafters. There are 20
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